Mortar, leaded bronze, projecting ribs and rosettes

A conical mortar with a single loop handle, embossed with ten upright ribs, between which are various cartouches, panels, medallions and rosettes representing a rampant griffin, an unidentifiable confronting beast with foliate stem terminating in a fleur-de-lis, a warrior on horseback with raised sword, a rosette, a displyed eagle, a rosettes, a warrior, a displayed eagle, an elephant and castle. On the recessed foot, a star, a rosette in a square panel, a star, a rosette (square), a patera (rosette on a medallion), a fleur- de- lis, a patera, a sta, a rosette (square), a rosette (round), a fleur-de- lis and bird (?).

Bought from Michelangelo Guggenheim, Venice, in 1889 (with 335 to 354-1889), for £300.

This leaded bronze mortar has projecting ribs and rosette decoration. The bowl has been heavily worn and the base pushed out of shape through heavy grinding, indicating that a bronze or iron pestle was used to break down quite hard substances. This is a rare example of an early fourteenth century mortar from southern Italy.

346-1889